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Red Wings Compete For Bell Ringing Bragging Rights

DETROIT - NOVEMBER 21: Head Coach Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings gives direction to his team as they face the Calgary Flames during their NHL game at Joe Louis Arena on November 21, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan.(Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Mike BabcockHead Coach Mike Babcock of the Detroit Red Wings. (File Photo By Dave Sandford/Getty Images)

Detroit, MI… The Detroit Red Wings will compete for bragging rights this Friday, December 9, to see which duo can raise the most money for The Salvation Army Red Kettle Campaign, as four teams bell ring between 4-6 p.m. at different Metro Detroit retail locations.

Head coach Mike Babcock will join Executive Vice President and General Manager Ken Holland, who is serving as Honorary Chairman of the 2011 Red Kettle Campaign for the sixth straight year, at Hiller’s Market in downtown Northville. Six players will pair up at three area stores: the Kroger in Plymouth (Valtteri Filppula & Drew Miller), Hockeytown Authentics in Troy (Justin Abdelkader & Darren Helm) and the Kroger in Birmingham (Cory Emmerton & Jakub Kindl).

Fans visiting Hockeytown Authentics between 4-6 p.m. on Friday can obtain an autograph from both forwards Abdelkader and Helm by making a $10 donation per player to The Salvation Army. Last year, Abdelkader and Helm became the first player tandem to beat Babcock and Holland in the annual bell ringing competition and hope to successfully defend their title.

This season marks the sixth consecutive year the Detroit Red Wings and The Salvation Army are teaming up through the “Red Wings for Red Kettles” initiative to help the nonprofit reach its $8.2 million Red Kettle Campaign goal.

“Both the players and staff have embraced The Salvation Army and have remained committed to helping people in need in our community,” Holland said. “We’re proud to support The Salvation Army again this year, and celebrate their 125th year of serving the people of Metro Detroit.”

In addition to the bell ringing competition, The Salvation Army will have its famous red kettles at Joe Louis Arena for the Wings’ first four home games this month (Dec. 8, 10, 17 and 27). A four-piece brass band from The Salvation Army will play holiday songs on the concourse inside the main Gordie Howe Entrance from 6:00 p.m. until the puck drops to start the game.